Fiberglass drywall tape works well.

I use those round plastic needlepoint things from the craft store.

I use landscaping fabric cut to size. The only good use I have found for it, lol.

I haven't been using anything to cover up the holes with. I'm not sure what Drywall Joint Tape is, but sounds good. I'll look into it. The other methods sound good too. I have to wonder though---if one uses a mesh, is it possible to have the holes too small---that it could actually clog up the drainage process?

"if one uses a mesh, is it possible to have the holes too small---that it could actually clog up the drainage process?"

Not if you use a properly textural and durable potting mix. Something that is heavily peat based, like Miracle Gro, could clog wire mesh or just about anything else used to screen the drain hole. But a fast draining soil mix with a decent particle size won't have any issues.

Thanks gardengal! What mesh size does your window screening have? Sounds like it would be rather fine. Do you use anything to hold it in place?

What kind of craft store do you find the round plastic discs from mblan13?

Gutter screen can be used and was mentioned on another thread.

Mosquito/window screen (I don't use metal screens) - cut it into rounds to fit bottom of he pot:

newhostalady

here is drywall joint tape; it has 1 size sticky and comes in many widths:

I use plastic window screening, cut in a rough round small enough to fit in the bottom of a pot. Works for me very well.

Coffee filters are my go to drainage hole covers. Cheap, easily found, can be doubled or overlapped if necessary. What’s not to love?

Rina, your plastic window screen looks good. That drywall tape looks really interesting. Thanks for the pictures! I think the drywall tape is something that can be used to help the screening fit a bit tighter to the pot. I would like the mesh to also stop those darn pill bugs from entering the bottom of my pots!

My coffee filters are funnel/cone shaped. But I suppose there are ones that are round like discs which you are using edenchild.

newhostalady

You can get 500 (maybe more) coffee filters in dollar store for a $1 or $2....I use to use them, but prefer mosquito screening. Cutting it into rounds usually on long winter nights, haha. Have stash in various sizes.

Drywall tape has openings just slightly bigger than window screen. Either works well with gritty mix for succulents (I don't add soil). For large pots with tropicals where there is soil, I use landscape fabric as Sherry mentioned.

Newhostalady, yes I use the round ones and as Rina mentioned pick them up at the dollar store or use no-name ones. The advantage to using them is they are designed to filter liquids out while keeping small solids in. I do only use them for short term pots as they disintegrate after a year or two. I will also use multiple ones in larger pots, overlapping them inside the base.

Very helpful info rina and edenchild! Thanks for starting this thread Lynn Nevins!

So there is a lot of choice when looking for something to cover the drainage holes. I've got landscape fabric lying around, and I am happy to find a use for the leftover pieces. I like all of the choices mentioned here. I think I will try a few different ones and see what I think of them. I will definitely visit the dollar store and pick up some coffee filters. You guys are awesome!

Cool idea! I like the "sticky" side part. I mostly use window screen. People seem to throw it out in the trash a lot. Whole rolls of it. I have also used landscape fabric and coffee filters. If I ever see any of that mesh in the trash or at a yard sale for cheap, I'll give it a try!

I use burlap you can get it by the roll and cut it to desired size or a thin layer of hay/straw works as well.

Can't believe our dollar store doesn't have flat coffee filters. Oh well, lots of other choices to try!

a big 12 x 17 piece of needlepoint material at the fabric/craft shop will set you back two dollars